59. Schadenfreude

Prompt: Schadenfreude

Setting: AU

Genre: Humour, Romance

490 Words


For the past few weeks, there had been a special event going on in HeroYa, the massive multiplayer online role-playing game of Ichigo's and his fiancée's choice.

It had involved a number of daily quests, completing each of which would earn you points. And once you had racked up enough points, you would get the special event surprise box, which would be filled with all kinds of goodies.

Some ultra-rare useful items you couldn't really get anywhere else in a game.

With the sugar on the top being a new high-level weapon. Or armour. Or a book that would net you skill points.

You could also get a new special mount and while some people were excited about that, Ichigo was really aiming for the weapon or armour.

He could use the upgrade.

And today, finally, he completed the last daily quest and got the last points he needed.

The box loomed before his avatar on the screen, and Ichigo felt victorious. Eighteen consecutive days of mind-numbingly repetitive daily quests – because if you missed a day the points would reset and you'd have to start all over again – and here, finally, were the spoils of all his hard work.

Ichigo hoped for the weapon, crossed his fingers, and clicked to open the box.

And while Ichigo stared at his hard-earned prize in utter horror, the sound of Rukia's laughter filled the room.

Even her avatar, standing next to Ichigo's in the game, was laughing.

Because Ichigo had not received the weapon. Or the armour. Or even the book.

He'd got the mount.

And the last thing Ichigo needed, playing a human berserker, a tall hulking warrior carrying a huge ass sword strapped to his back, was a sparkly unicorn.

"Oh my god I can't breathe," Rukia gasped.

Ichigo's scowl deepened as he slanted her a glance.

There were tears in the corners of her eyes, she was actually laughing so hard she was about to cry.

Ichigo gritted his teeth.

"It's not funny."

"It's so pretty!"

"It's stupid."

"Eighteen days!"

"Shut up, Rukia!"

"Hahaha, I can't –"

"Did you just take a screenshot?!"

"I'm sending this to everyone. Posting it on the forum."

Ichigo jumped out of his chair and was hovering over Rukia's shoulder in a few quick seconds.

"Don't you dare –!"

Rukia's nose brushed against his cheek and his irritation evaporated.

Next, it was her lips, softly pressing a simple kiss on the very same spot.

Ichigo's shoulders slumped and he let his chin rest Rukia's shoulder.

"Thanks, I needed that."

"I could tell," she replied. "Do you wanna go do a raid and hack up some raid boss to vent it all out?"

"Nah." Ichigo dipped his chin and planted an open-mouthed kiss on Rukia's shoulder. "I've got a better idea," he murmured into her skin, his lips trailing over to her neck.

"Well then," Rukia purred, arching her neck for him. "I'm game."